About this project

Did you ever play Monopoly growing up? Of course, we all did. And what did you learn? That to win in life, you needed to get insanely wealthy at any cost, and run everyone else into the poor house. Times have changed, and the green economy is proving that one side winning doesn't mean another side losing. The green economy thrives on coopetition (cooperation meets competition), alliances, and bridging communities. And all those elements are incorporated into this game. After all, if you start a biofuels production company, shouldn't that help a biofuel station that someone else owns, and vice versa?

This game makes the business of green come to life in a fun, interactive way. Players are investors looking to make more than just financial returns by helping local entrepreneurs in Hawai'i develop sustainability-oriented businesses like organic farms, geothermal plants, green building companies, solar installers, and bike shops. Players are rewarded for creating green jobs, making money, and
reducing Hawai'i's dependence on foreign oil, imported food, and limited
landfill space, and the player with the best triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) return on their investments throughout the game wins! The game is ideal for those who are interested in sustainability as a better way to do business, and can be played by 2-6 players ages 13+.

And perhaps most importantly, people are really enjoying playing the game! Here's a preview of the board (keep in mind--just a prototype!):

Why Hawai'i? In terms of the global economy, Hawai'i is like a canary in a coal mine. The state relies on oil for 90% of its electricity, imports 85-90% of its food, and has an economy largely dependent on tourism and the military. Service industry jobs don't provide the living wage that the state's residents need, and the high cost of energy, food, and housing leaves many people out of options.

About your pledge!

See the sidebar for more information about what you get for what level of pledge. Obviously, the more you pledge, the more gifts and thanks we'll bestow, and we're open for creative ideas, too, so drop us a line if you have something you want that you don't see on the sidebar!

FAQ

Well, that's a good trick. We had a terrific name, but unfortunately there was a conflict with an organization of similar enough name and they requested that we change the name. That was about a month ago, and we're at the moment testing a few new names. Any ideas, after watching the video, we'd love to hear it!

The game consists of a beautiful board with the map of Hawai'i, several decks of playing cards used in the game, a green business property deck of businesses you can invest in, dice, player pieces and a stack of money (fake).

Yes. We've been play-testing the game for 6 months on site (tough life, we know!), and have incorporated suggestions from several of the key figures in the sustainability and cultural movements here in the state. We try to showcase these unique cultural elements in the game so that people are also learning about Hawai'ian culture in a fun, yet respectful way.

Hawai'i makes a terrific setting for the game. The number of endemic species in the islands, the challenges faced by native Hawai'ians, and the unsustainable nature of the economy here are all key elements of why we're trying to create green jobs and sustainable economic development on the islands. We are blessed with ample sun, great climate for growing, steady tradewinds for wind energy, and geothermal reserves that rival the world's best. Yet at the same time, tourism and the military are our top two economic drivers, creating low wage jobs and transient peoples, as well as lots and lots of disposable plastics and fast food. We'd like to reverse those trends!

Rewards

Pledge $5 or more

A finger-typed email (not copy/paste) containing a thank you from the game's developer, with one of his best sustainability-related jokes! They're real knee-slappers, we promise!

Estimated delivery:Oct 2011

You selected

Pledge $30 or more

14 backers

In addition to the above, you'll also receive a copy of Build a Green Small Business (McGraw-Hill), authored by the developer of this game! Also, you will have your name listed on the sales page of our website where we'll be selling the game, under a big "THANK YOU TO THESE GREEN ECONOMY SUPERSTARS" banner.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2011

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

2 backers

In addition to the above, you'll also receive an organic cotton T-shirt from GreenBusinessOwner.com, with the catchphrase "Social Entrepreneurs Have More Fun" on the front. They're American Apparel...really nice fits for both men and women, most sizes available.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2011

You selected

Pledge $60 or more

35 backers

If you're just interested in the board game, this level is for you! For this level, you will receive a copy of the board game as soon as it is printed, and your name will be put in the "THANK YOU TO THESE GREEN ECONOMY SUPERSTARS" section of our website where we're selling the game.

NOTE: This doesn't count in the below sections that say "In addition to the above". This one is its own animal!

Estimated delivery:Nov 2011

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

4 backers

In addition to the above, you'll also receive a copy of the board game as soon as we're able to fulfill the first orders!

Estimated delivery:Nov 2011

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

3 backers

For this level, you get a book, a T-Shirt, and 2 board games, all shipped together to anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

PLEASE NOTE: This award is not included in other awards that say "In addition to the above". This one is its own animal!

Estimated delivery:Nov 2011

You selected

Pledge $400 or more

1 backer

In addition to the above, you will also get a membership on GreenBusinessOwner.com, including a blog article about your business and logo placement on our web sales page!

Estimated delivery:Nov 2011

You selected

Pledge $410 or more

0 backers

For this level, you will receive a shipment of 10 board games ($41 each) that you can give away or sell as you see fit. (There is an option for 20 games as well). Regular retail price will be $50. Taxes and shipping included! This award is not included in the other options that say "In addition to the above". This one is its own animal!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2011

You selected

Pledge $700 or more

1 backer

For this level, you will receive a shipment of 20 board games ($35 each) that you can give away or sell as you see fit. Regular retail price will be $50. Taxes and shipping included! This award is not included in the other options that say "In addition to the above". This one is its own animal!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2011

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

3 backers

Choose from one of these two options: In addition to the above, you can help create a card for the next version of the game. Think of the possibilities! The card could say your non-profit helps rid Maui county of styrofoam, which helps all the zero-waste businesses earn more dividends! Be creative! We can also help you with this.

Alternatively, in addition to all of the above pledge levels, you can have your company logo placed on the game box itself!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2011

You selected

Pledge $2,000 or more

1 backer

Corporate Sponsorship: Have your logo, URL, and a testimonial for the game from your leadership on the board itself.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2011

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers

For this level, you will receive an all-expenses paid sustainability tour of the beautiful island of Oahu, personally guided by the game's developer, showcasing all the amazing sustainability-related businesses upon which the game is founded. Valid for travel from the U.S., Canada and Mexico only. If you are elsewhere, you can still fund this amount, but will be responsible for getting yourself to the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, where we'll take care of the rest. Includes round trip airfare, 7 days, 6 nights, lodging, meals, and daily sustainability-themed tours in a biodiesel vehicle, surf lessons, snorkeling trips, seasonal eating, seasonal wildlife watching, and more! Trips scheduled around your convenience.

Estimated delivery:May 2012

Funding period

Aug 26, 2011 - Oct 10, 2011
(45 days)

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